CHAN 2018: Morocco crush Nigeria 4-0 to lift trophy

Morocco became the first host nation to claim the African Nations Championship (CHAN) title with a convincing 4-0 win over 10-man Nigeria in Sunday’s final.

Key moments either side of half-time turned the match in the hosts’ favour as Morocco’s Zakaria Hadraf scored just before the break with Nigeria’s Peter Eneji Moses sent-off for a second yellow card just after.

Walid El Karti and Hadraf – with his second – added to Morocco’s lead in quick succession on the hour mark.

The rout was completed by Ayoub El Kaabi, who had hit the woodwork twice, scoring his ninth goal of the tournament which is for home-based African players.

Nigeria relied mainly on long balls forward for their attacks and Morocco’s Anas Zniti did not have a serious save to make before half-time.

Just two minutes after the break Peter Eneji Moses was sent off for a second booking after a clumsy late foul on Mohammed Nahiri.

In truth, Nigeria’s 10 men were unable to threaten Morocco at all in the second-half with Anas Zniti untroubled in the hosts’ goal.

El Kaabi’s goals saw him named man-of-the-tournament and will have caught the eye of Morocco’s full national coach Herve Renard who was watching from the stands, as he looks to finalise his squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.